Treatment of the acquired syphilis with azithromycin

Authors

  • Mauro R.L. Passos
  • Rubem A. Goulart Filho Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Altamiro, V.V. Carvalho Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Nero A. Barreto
  • Auri V.S. Nascimento Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Renata Q. Varella Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Vandira M.S. Pinheiro
  • Rogério R. Tavares Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Cláudio C.C. Santos Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Patrícia M.C. Azevedo

Keywords:

Azithromycin, syphilis, treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis is a highly prevalent STD throughout the world, specially affecting countries with socioeconomic problems. The disease defies medicine, being a problem even in developed countries. There are few studies comparing different therapies. In the last years, many studies about the use of azithromycin in syphilis have shown excellent cure rates. Objective: To evaluate the effficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of acquired syphilis in patients with any impediments to the use of penicillin G benzathine. Methods: An open study, in one center, the STD Sector of the Universidade Federal Fluminense in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, from 1997 to 2000. 57 patients with early syphilis (primary/ second ary and with early latent syphilis were followed the syphilis diagnostic was made with dark-field bacterioscopy and/or V.D.R.L. serology. The serological follow-up was made bimonthly. The patients were assigned to two groups: A. 1g of azitrromycin/week for 3 weeks; B. 1g of azthromycin/week for 4 weeks. The criteria for cure were the remission of the symptoms and signs of the disease and a fourt gold decline in the serology titers after treatment relative to the pre-treatment values or serological negativation. Results: All patients presented genital and/or dermatological lesion, and 50 out of 57 evolved with clearance of the lesion in two weeks. No important secondary effects or hipersensibility reactions to the drug were seen. Cure rate for group A (3 doses) was 27/27 (100%); for group B (4 doses) was 28/30 (93,4%), a total of 55/57 (96,7%), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Associated illnesses were 6/57 (10,5%) HIV positivity, 5/57 (8,8%) HPV lesions, 5/57 (8,8%) candidiasis, 2/57 (3,5%) trichomoniasis and 1/5 (1,8%) canchroid. The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction occurred in 3 patients. Conclusion: The experience gathered at the STD Sector of the UFF allows one to conclude that azithromycin may be used as a practical, safe and efficacious treatment for acquired syphilis for patients in early recent and early latent phases.

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Author Biographies

Mauro R.L. Passos

Prof. Doutor, Adjunto do Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia/ MIP/CMB/CCM-UFF – Setor de DST

Rubem A. Goulart Filho, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Enfermeiro, Especialista e Mestre em DST pela Universidade Federal Fluminense

Altamiro, V.V. Carvalho, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Médico Pediatra, Mestre em DST pela Universidade Federal Fluminense

Nero A. Barreto

Prof. Mestre, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia/MIP/CMB/CCM-UFF Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia/MIP/CMB/CCM-UFF

Auri V.S. Nascimento, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Enfermeira, Especialista em DST pela Universidade Federal Fluminense

Renata Q. Varella, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Médica Ginecologista e Obstétra, Especialista em DST pela Universidade Federal Fluminense

Vandira M.S. Pinheiro

Profa Mestre – Programa de Pós-Graduação em DST/Setor DST/MIP/CMB/CCM-UFF

Rogério R. Tavares, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Médico Dermatologista, Mestre em DST pela Universidade Federal Fluminense

Cláudio C.C. Santos, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Biólogo, Mestrando em Neurobiologia do Instituto de Biologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense

Patrícia M.C. Azevedo

Graduanda em Medicina, Monitora DST/Setor DST/MIP/CMB/CCM-UFF

Published

2001-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Passos MR, Goulart Filho RA, Carvalho AV, Barreto NA, Nascimento AV, Varella RQ, et al. Treatment of the acquired syphilis with azithromycin. DST [Internet]. 2001 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];13(3):23-32. Available from: https://www.bjstd.org/revista/article/view/383

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Original Article